Saints' rainbow ball on display at National Football Museum

From today (April 25), visitors to England’s largest museum dedicated to football will be able to view the first rainbow ball to feature in an English professional football match.

The ball on display is the very one that Saints winger Ryan Fraser used to score the evening's opening goal.

The rainbow ball will be placed in the ‘Game of our Lives’ display and is the first LGBTQ+ related item donated directly to the Museum by the EFL. 

The Ball will sit alongside other LGBTQ+ and equality items in football, including Harry Kane’s ‘One Love’ armband.

Ryan Fraser scored the opening goal in Southampton's 2-0 win (Image: EFL / National Football Museum)

“It was a massive game in our season and we knew we had to get a result following a couple of bad results prior to that match," Fraser said about being a part of the historic moment.

"I remember the goal very clearly - it was a fantastic set-piece routine that we'd practice regularly in the week, so for it to come off when it mattered the most was a brilliant feeling.

"I was informed about the ball and the importance of the campaign - as footballers, we have a responsibility to help drive awareness when it comes to inclusion and being able to support when possible is crucial.

"It's a really nice touch by the EFL and National Football Museum to have the rainbow ball on display, as this will only help establish more understanding and support."